“Knowledge of Hepatitis B and C Infections and Sero-prevalence Among Blood Donor University Students in District, Lahore, Pakistan”

Background: The Hepatitis B and C infections are spreading like epidemic in Pakistan. The hidden portion of iceberg is huge, because of undiagnosed patients and carriers. The knowledge level needs to be assessed and improved in order to effectively implement the prevention and control strategies. Objectives: The study was conducted to estimate the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B infections in blood donor university students and to determine their knowledge of Hepatitis B and C infections. Method: This is a cross – sectional study, conducted in public and private sector, non-medical Universities in District Lahore recognized by Higher education Commission of Pakistan. A representative sample of 340, male and female, voluntary or on payment blood donor students was selected using two – staged Probability Sampling. Data was collected using structured pre-tested questionnaires after taking informed consent. Results: Among 340 study subjects 66.2% were females. Hepatitis B seroprevalence was (4/340) 1.176%, and Hepatitis C seroprevalence was also estimated to be (4/340) 1.176%. Combined hepatitis B and C seroprevalence was 2.35%. Among the seropositives 37.5% were females while 62.5% were males. The knowledge level about mode of transmission varies from 63.2% to 90.3%, while the knowledge level range from 51.2% to 94.7% about at risk groups and the knowledge range came out to be 63.2% to 94.7% about prevention and control measures. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C is much less. The educated youth of our community is much aware about the common routes of transmission of Hepatitis B and C infections.